Tepperman’s donates $45,000 to Art Gallery of Windsor

Furniture World News Desk on 4/1/2015

Elementary and secondary school students received a boost from Tepperman’s with a financial gift of $45,000 to sponsor a new Art Gallery of Windsor (AGW) project specifically designed to support the provincial educational curriculum to strengthen visual literacy.

Curated with the help of the AGW’s Education Committee, the project is called “Look Again! Celebrating the AGW Collection” and intersects four centuries of historical, modern and contemporary art to profile three central themes: Portraiture and the Body; Form and Design through Abstraction; and Canadian Heritage and the Land. The exhibit also includes a recreation of an expansive nineteenth-century salon wall using the AGW’s collection of paintings from that period.

Noah Tepperman, Secretary/Treasurer and Director of Public and Community Relations, says, “At Tepperman’s we’re committed to the future of our communities through investing in educational opportunities for children. This month we’re celebrating our 90th Anniversary and with today’s announcement, we continue the legacy of giving that our grandparents began nine decades ago.” During the past 18 years, Tepperman’s has awarded nearly $600,000 in scholarships and bursaries in southwestern Ontario.

Andrew Tepperman, President, adds, “As part of our 90th Anniversary of giving, our families and our entire team are honoured to partner with the Art Gallery of Windsor to present this project that unites fine art with education. This program breaks down any barriers, for young people to appreciate these outstanding works.” Today’s announcement is one of several recently made by Tepperman’s, following a $45,000 donation to the London Children’s Museum on March 19, and nearly $30,000 given towards scholarships and bursaries to celebrate the 90th Anniversary.

“It is a great pleasure to have Tepperman’s join the AGW’s sponsorship family for this exciting exhibition as lead sponsor,” says Catharine Mastin, Director of the AGW. “Behind the scenes for nearly two years now, the AGW staff and Education Committee have been working diligently to create a special look at the collection, to refine our education mandate and develop a framework for curriculum-linked education programs. As we look towards our own 75th anniversary in 2018 we are most delighted in this project to be celebrating Tepperman's 90th with them this year, and to enrich visual literacy in elementary and secondary audiences.”

The exhibit opens to the public on Saturday, April 4 and will be showcased with numerous upgrades, including a new modular wall system, furnishings, self-guided gallery tours and coming this fall, new curriculum programs for K-12 students. Featured artists include Lawren Harris, Pablo Picasso, Raoul Dufy, Paul Kane, Maurice Vlaminck, Emily Carr, Caven Atkins, Evergon, Chris Cran, Andy Warhol, Jules Olitski, Dorothy Knowles, Prudence Heward, Rebecca Belmore and more.

Mastin continued, “I also thank all of our supporting sponsors who include: The Chanisherry Foundation, Sean & Jennifer White, Bud & Mary Weingarden.”

Tepperman’s Furniture, Mattress, Electronics and Appliances: Tepperman's is a full service family owned and operated furniture, mattress, appliance and electronics retailer serving Southwestern Ontario, with locations in Windsor, London, Chatham and Sarnia.

On Friday, March 13, Tepperman’s announced a donation of $29,250 in scholarships to mark its 90th Anniversary within the communities that have supported what has grown to become one of the largest independent home furnishings retailers in Canada. This amount tops nearly $600,000 previously invested in post-secondary education during the past 18 years. Additional community investments will be announced shortly as part of the anniversary celebrations.

Tepperman’s employs a total of 341 people with 120 specifically at the London location.